Associate Director Planning - F/H - CDI

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth.

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com .

For clarity and accessibility, we have chosen not to use gender-neutral or inclusive writing conventions in our communications. WPP Media is firmly committed to diversity: we value inclusion and equality, considering all candidates regardless of gender identity, ethnic origin, or religion. All our positions are also open to people with disabilities.

About WPP Media
WPP is a creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build a better future for our people, our planet, our clients, and our communities. For more information, visit wpp.com (https://wpp.com/).
WPP Media is WPP's global media network. In a world where media is omnipresent, we bring together the best platform, the best talent, and the best partners to develop the most innovative solutions, delivering unparalleled growth for our clients. For more information, visit wppmedia.com (https://wppmedia.com/).
At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It is through this synergy that we deliver truly exceptional experiences, for both our clients and our internal teams. To succeed in this role, it is crucial to embody the core values that unite WPP and WPP Media:

- Be Extraordinary by fostering collective leadership that inspires truly transformative creativity.

- Create an Open environment by finding the perfect balance between the fulfillment of our people and the satisfaction of our clients, all built on mutual trust.

- Lead with Optimism by actively stimulating growth and development to mobilize our entire organization.

About the Opportunity
L’Oréal International Distribution (LID) is a premier global media planning and activation account spanning 30+ markets across Europe, MENA, and Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2027, the account is relocating its core planning engine from London to Paris to work in direct, daily proximity with client leadership.
Within this transformed setup, we are hiring an Implementation Planning Associate Director to lead the Luxe division (Lifestyle & Couture). This is the largest and most prestigious portfolio on the account, driving seven of the agency's nine biggest annual brand launches—including iconic houses such as Mugler, Azzaro, Maison Margiela, Ralph Lauren, and YSL Beauty.
Sitting in Paris at the client’s table, you will own Luxe planning end-to-end, mentor incoming Planning Managers, and direct our specialized offshore activation desks in Delhi to deliver flawless, high-impact campaigns.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Media Planning & "Big-Bet" Launch Delivery

- Own the Luxe Media Blueprint: Architect, review, and sign off full-funnel media plans across 30 markets, ensuring channel mix, audience segmentation, budget allocation, and phasing match L'Oréal's distinct campaign grading tiers.

- Lead Flagship Product Launches: Deliver the division's seven big-bet H1 launches , translating central creative ideas and brand ambitions into tailored, high-performing local market executions.

- Full-Funnel & Retail Media Synergy: Integrate digital and offline touchpoints seamlessly, collaborating with the Amazon Ads Director and local commerce specialists to capture luxury e-commerce demand.

2. Directing Activation & Operational Rigour (Delhi Hub)

- Offshore Leadership: Serve as the primary briefing and delivery authority for our dedicated activation desks in Delhi (Programmatic, Paid Social, and Search).

- QA & Execution Standards: Establish strict QA workflows, SLAs, and performance benchmarks to continuously reduce error rates, improve trafficking speed, and optimize live pacing.

- Post-Campaign Excellence: Ensure robust reporting, actionable insight generation, and post-campaign reviews are delivered back to brand teams on time.

3. Client Leadership & Partnership

- Brand Team Trusted Advisor: Act as the daily, strategic planning partner for Luxe brand directors, divisional marketing leads, and key stakeholders.

- Presenting & Challenging: Lead client-facing plan presentations, expertly taking feedback, challenging assumptions with data, and setting clear parameters on feasibility and budget trade-offs.

- Unified Account Front: Collaborate daily with the Implementation Planning Director and the Client Leadership in Paris to ensure consistent, premium client satisfaction.

4. Team Management & Upskilling

- Line Management: Directly manage and develop the Paris-based Global Planning Managers , training them to take autonomous ownership of Tier 2 campaigns.

- Cross-Agency Collaboration: Partner closely with peer Associate Director, as well as Strategy, Analytics, and local market WPP teams, to share operational best practices.

What We Are Looking For

Non-Negotiable Requirements

- 5+ years of digital media planning experience within a media agency, with proven multi-market / international account experience .

- End-to-End Planning Craft: Demonstrated ability to build sophisticated media plans from scratch: audience sizing, channel selection, cross-market budget splits, flighting, and measurement frameworks.

- Advanced Data Literacy: Advanced Excel skills and comfort handling multi-currency, multi-market plans.

- People Leadership: Experience line-managing and developing at least one media planner or executive.

- Client Command: High level of confidence presenting directly to brand teams, fielding unscripted questions, and negotiating plan revisions.

- Languages & Location: Fluent English is mandatory. Must be currently based in Paris or actively relocating .

Preferred & Functional Skills

- Category Affinity: Prior experience planning for Luxury, Fragrance, Beauty, or Fashion brands is a strong advantage.

- Omnichannel Breadth: Working knowledge of retail media (Amazon Ads, e-retailers) and high-impact offline media formats.

- Bilingual English / French: Highly beneficial for building fluid daily relationships on-site with Parisian brand managers.

Why Join This Team?

- Prestige Brand Portfolio: Guide the media voice of globally admired couture and fragrance houses across 30 diverse markets in Europe, MENA, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

- High-Visibility Paris Seat: Be part of a newly minted central hub in Paris, enjoying direct client exposure while supported by scaled offshore execution desks.

- Build the Function: Work alongside a newly appointed Director to shape team culture, processes, and delivery standards from day one.

Life at WPP Media and its Benefits
Our commitment to shaping the future of media is manifested by active support for the professional development of our talents, helping them reach their full potential. This approach is accompanied by a responsible vision in our media investment strategies, thus reflecting our dual priority: valuing our employees while adopting sustainable practices in our sector. WPP Media employees have privileged access to WPP Media's and WPP's international networks, allowing them to develop their passions, expand their professional network, and stay at the forefront of innovations in marketing and advertising.
We have vast and varied resources available to our employees; our company actively cultivates the inclusion of talents from all backgrounds. The successes and expertise of the teams are regularly highlighted during unifying events that also punctuate key moments of the year, thus strengthening our collaborative and diverse corporate culture.
Our benefits include:

- Remote work: up to 2 days per week and 2 full weeks to be taken twice a year.

- Two additional days off offered , including Whit Monday.

- Additional leave days based on seniority in 5-year increments.

- 5 additional remote work days per month for employees suffering from endometriosis.

- Disability policy: 3 paid authorized absence days per year, access to Chèques Emploi Service Universel (CESU), and specific support for employees with a RQTH (Recognition of Disabled Worker Status).

- Solidarity missions possible via the "We care and we act" program.

Recruitment Process

- Interview with the recruitment team: A first phone or video conference interview with a member of our recruitment team to review your background, discuss your experience with European campaign management and analytics, and address your questions.

- Operational interview: An interview with the Luxury Client Team lead to assess your technical, analytical, and management skills.

- Case study: A practical case study focused on cross-media campaign analysis and strategy within the European market, followed by a debriefing session.

We are committed to making this process as fast and efficient as possible, and to maintaining open and transparent communication throughout.
WPP Media guarantees equal opportunities and considers all candidates without discrimination or consideration of particular characteristics. We are committed to cultivating an environment of respect where everyone feels at home and benefits from the same opportunities for professional development.
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